Poems and Songs By Robert Gilfillan. Fourth edition. With memoir of the author, and appendix of his latest pieces |
 |
|
|
O! WHAT IS THIS WORLD, WI' ITS WEALTH AND RENOWN. |
|
|
 | Poems and Songs |  |
42
O! WHAT IS THIS WORLD, WI' ITS WEALTH AND RENOWN.
O! what is this world, wi' its wealth and renown,
If content is awanting ilk pleasure to crown?
And where that does dwell, be't in cot e'er sae low,
There's a joy and a gladness nae wealth can bestow.
If content is awanting ilk pleasure to crown?
And where that does dwell, be't in cot e'er sae low,
There's a joy and a gladness nae wealth can bestow.
There's mony a wee biggin', in forest and glen,
Wi' its clean sandit floor, an' its but and its ben,
Where there's mair o' that peace whilk contentment aye brings,
Than is found in the palace o' Princes or Kings.
Wi' its clean sandit floor, an' its but and its ben,
Where there's mair o' that peace whilk contentment aye brings,
Than is found in the palace o' Princes or Kings.
We canna get fortune, we canna get fame,
We canna behind us a' leave a bit name;
But this we can a' hae, and, O! 'tis na sma',
A heart fu' o' kindness, to ane and to a'!
We canna behind us a' leave a bit name;
But this we can a' hae, and, O! 'tis na sma',
A heart fu' o' kindness, to ane and to a'!
43
They say that life's short, and they dinna say wrang,
For the langest that live can ne'er ca' it lang;
Then, since it is sae, make it pleasant the while;
If it gang by sae soon, let it gang wi' a smile.
For the langest that live can ne'er ca' it lang;
Then, since it is sae, make it pleasant the while;
If it gang by sae soon, let it gang wi' a smile.
Wha e'er climbs the mountain maun aye risk a fa',
While he that is lowly is safe frae it a'.
The flower blooms unscath'd in the valley sae deep,
While the storm rends the aik on its high rocky steep!
While he that is lowly is safe frae it a'.
The flower blooms unscath'd in the valley sae deep,
While the storm rends the aik on its high rocky steep!
My highest ambition—if such be a crime—
Is quietly to glide down the swift stream o' time;
And when the brief voyage in safety is o'er,
To meet with loved friends on the far distant shore!
Is quietly to glide down the swift stream o' time;
And when the brief voyage in safety is o'er,
To meet with loved friends on the far distant shore!
| Poems and Songs | |